City plans to bulldoze dozens of old Durban buildings

THERE are approximately 80 ‘bad buildings’ within the inner city, 39 of which are within the Mahatma Gandhi Precinct, and the City of Durban has been given the green light by the courts to start demolishing some while court processes on others are underway.

Also read: VIDEO: eThekwini Committee meeting cancelled as Durban Mayor supporters block City Hall 

According to the eThekwini Municipality, these abandoned and neglected buildings have been plaguing the City for quite some time, becoming drug dens, brothels and homes for vagrants – all to the detriment of residents.

“The City is committed to working with the private sector in eradicating bad buildings for purposes such as commercial, student accommodation, social housing, and social facilities required to address the above mentioned social ills. Owners of bad buildings who have gone under the radar neglecting them at the expense of the municipality are warned to come forward or risk losing their property,” said  eThekwini City Manager, Sipho Nzuza.

According to the municipality, contractors have already commenced with construction work at the Rivertown Development Precinct.

“Rivertown is going to be home to among others restaurants and art galleries and is expected to revolutionarise the City’s night life dramatically,” the municipality said in a statement.

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